Save vs. Splurge on KID’S MEALS in Disneyland

July 10, 2013 in All Posts, babies & toddlers, disneyland, Jessica, restaurant tips, Tips & Tricks for Families by Jessica McConnel

Just as previous Save vs. Splurge posts (Disneyland here and California Adventure here), this article will give you a good idea of where to head to when you can afford to splurge on your meals and where to go when you need to save a little (bringing in your own food is of course the ultimate “save”, but we’re not counting that right now!) – this time we’re looking at food for the kiddos!

Breakfast SAVE: Tomorrowland Terrace. If you are looking for a place to have a nice sit-down (although counter-service) breakfast, your choices are limited. But of the few restaurants that offer it, the least expensive kid’s breakfast meal (either a breakfast plate or a french toast plate, $6.49) can be found here. Or if you are looking for something on-the-go, for a few bucks less you could always pick up a muffin and a milk from the Jolly Holiday Cafe.

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Breakfast SPLURGE: Plaza Inn. The Minnie & Friend’s Character Breakfast is certainly a splurge at $11.99 for kid’s 3-9, but it’s also all-you-can-eat! Breakfast items include plenty of kid approved foods like cereal, baked goods, Mickey waffles, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, french toast, fruit, even made-to-order omelets. And the best part? You get to meet and mingle with some fabulous Disney characters! Read our review here!

Lunch SAVE: Golden Horseshoe (and other locations throughout the park). A less expensive lunch called a Kid’s POWER Pack (more of a snack pack than a true lunch, $6) can be found full of things kids like and will eat (yogurt, fruit, veggies, fish crackers) and whatever leftovers there are can be easily stashed away for later.

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Lunch SPLURGE: Blue Bayou. Kids’ Meals are a little fancier here (to match the rest of the fare) like salmon, chicken breast and strip loin – with cost coming in a little higher at between $9-$13. But what really makes this place a splurge is the amazing atmosphere – kid’s will delight the immersiveness of the “bayou”, lightning bugs an all!

Dinner SAVE: Rancho del Zocalo. Throughout the park, kid’s meals prices are pretty consistent about $6-7, and the same fare is repeated throughout as well (nuggets, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, etc.). But only at Rancho can kid’s choose from a chicken taco or bean & cheese burrito and for a few dollars less even, you can order a “toddler meal” of arroz con pollo (about $5). To save even more money have your kids share where they can, my two (very) little people, at the time, even shared the toddler meal and were happy with it. For another “save” idea, check out Lisa’s review of the Plaza Inn, and how she and her
family save money on their dinner – great idea!

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BBQ Ribs

Dinner SPLURGE: Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Here, you’ll find another all-you-can-eat kid’s meal for $11.99 – the food is served family style, so there aren’t seperate options for kids and adults, but kid’s will love it none-the-less. You get BBQ chicken, ribs, beans, coleslaw, and cornbread, plus a souvenir “sipper” for kid’s only!

Snack SAVE: Outdoor Vending Carts. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite snack treat for the kids – Cotton Candy, Mickey Ice cream Bars, and Popcorn are all treats $4, or less, that will make any child’s eyes light up (oh, and mine too!).

Weird face, but he really was
stoked about the cotton candy!

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Snack SPLURGE: Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor. If you want to really treat your child on a special splurge, head over to Gibson Girl’s and get one of their mouth-watering ice cream sundaes (about $6). Served in a waffle-cone, these babies are huge and come in strawberry, mint-chocolate, and chocolate-chip cookie hot fudge flavors.

Where and what do your kid’s like to eat in Disneyland? Do you choose to save or splurge on your kids’ food? Share your thoughts with us!

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook,Twitter, or on Instagram at @jesshner.

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2 Comments

About Jessica McConnel

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.

Comments

The Swails Family says

July 10, 2013 at 10:47 pm

Our favorite treat is the Dole Whip and my two kids can definitely share one.

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Trisha says

July 12, 2013 at 1:23 am

We share Dole Whips too:) When we want to save money AND time we eat at the counter service in Toontown. The food is simple…Hot Dogs, Pizza, a Yummy and large Chef Salad, and maybe other salads, a wonderful and refreshing Fruit Platter, and a yummy Turkey Club Sandwich. They also have some ice cream treats, children’s snack boxes, and some other little things. We eat at off times… maybe 1:30 or 2:00 so the lines aren’t long. There are tables with umbrellas, but we like sitting on the 1/2 circle cement benches near the entrance to Toontown…across from the water fountain. It’s shady and the kids can move around instead of just sitting.

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